general melchett Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 (edited) Hi all, thought it was about time to post something that I've got round to finishing this year, (actually I've finished several but as they're all destined for magazine articles I can't post them prior to publication on pain of death... or something far worse......cessation of chocolate rations !! ). I built this one for our Bomber Command sig as I noticed that we had a distinct lack of Canberra's in the collection and for such an important type that's almost unforgivable ! This is only the second Canberra I've built, first being the old Airfix B(1)6 way back so it would be interesting to see how this one stacked up. A lot of folks probably know that BC operated the bomber variants B.2/B.6 in several squadrons but maybe not too many are aware that they also operated the recon versions too, albeit only briefly. 58 squadron was the first squadron to receive the new PR.9 variant flying them out of Wyton from 1960-1963 before the squadron was disbanded and the 6 aircraft given over to no's 13 and 39 squadrons. Another reece version served with 58 squadron at the time and that was the PR.7, (which I hope to build a bit later). The primary role of 58 at this time was to provide potential target photo route mapping for the V-Bombers, (which became more important with the introduction of Blue Steel), assisting the PR Valiants of 543 squadron with shipping reconnaissance trials and monitoring the movements of Russian naval vessels during the Cuban crisis...a busy time indeed !As for the Airfix kit well it isn't that bad really though one or two things really stuck out when I started looking through the box. Obviously everyone whose built one is aware of the rudder problem and that was easily fixed with a resin replacement from SBS models. Another problem which only became apparent when I came to dry fitting the undercarriage is that it sits way too high at the back !...the legs seemingly in the unloaded position. Once these were cut down to size I decided to replace the whole item with scratchbuilt copper and ali tubing so that I could adjust the 'ride height' accordingly. Another problem were the awful panel lines the prominent ones being filled with stretched sprue, layered with Mr Surfacer 500 and then rescribed in places very lightly with the help of John's (canberra kid) drawings which proved invaluable. Another mighty thanks must go to Dennis, (sloegin57) who supplied several lovely photos of the early PR.9's that he took at Luqa at the time ......these were again really useful in determining the right amount of weathering of the high speed silver paint. If the photos of 58 squadron aircraft are anything to go by their aircraft were kept pretty clean whilst in their employ over here...though that changed later when they were at the mercy of the med sun and sea air.......The earliest PR.9's didn't have the same aerial fit as the later aircraft and were remarkably smooth airframes as befits their high speed role. Talking of roles another error that is apparent when you turning the kit over is that the central bomb bay photo camera bay is incorrect for an early mark PR.9. The large centre 'box' didn't exist so was filled and the spare bomb bay section that comes in the box cut up and added to create new doors ....in some photos there appears to be a dark oblong section on the left hand door but I haven't found out what this was for, whether it's a cover for a camera bay or what I really don't know ! in addition the front engine nacelles have the vents incorrectly moulded one to the left and one to the right of the forward engine nacelles...they should both be on the right side, and be smaller than provided in the kit, (my micro chisel and careful masking came in handy here)..........The elevators have been left bright aluminium as they were quite often replaced in service with freshly painted items... The real thing weathered very quickly particularly the high speed silver paint so the airframe was finished using Alclad, matt aluminium, white aluminium, airframe aluminium, steel and magnesium the detail stuff added using Gunze paints. Decals were a mix of Airfix, old Matchbox, (for the correct black hatching over the navs hatch, not red as supplied in the airfix kit), Model Alliance rounded serials to model XH136, national markings from Xtradecals and additional stencils from a generic set...All in all good fun but quite protracted as more things came to light.Quick list of things that needed doing to the model, The fin fillet needs cutting back and reshaping and the elevator tips need rounding off....Cockpit, scratchbuilt new interior, Eduard pre painted set used, seat from CMK.....New rudder from SBS models. Engine nacelle oblong intakes (near intakes) reduced in size , the one on the right engine filled and moved to its correct position on the right hand side, (micro chiselled).Most prominent panel lines filled and replaced with stretched sprue and Mr Surfacer, then rescribed lightly into correct positions.Undercarriage scratchbuilt using brass rod and ali tubing to allow model to sit correctly.......Bomb bay central camera box removed and faired over...small strakes added at the rear underside., (also fuel dump pipe and small aerials added).Wingtip lights...... micro drilled into clear parts and filled with red and green food dyes to simulate lights..Little Cars 4mm clear lenses in the camera bays...Thanks again to canberra kid and sloegin for their help with this one,Next up will be a B.2 using John's (Aeroclub) new nose section and a few home made goodies....,Thanks for looking, Melchie... On dispersal at Wyton.... Edited October 29, 2014 by general melchett 38 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hockeyboy76 Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 That's a lovely Canberra. Well played Sir. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 Looking forwards to seeing it in the flesh Andy, it looks great. All we seemed to get at the Brampton show was Canberra crews who all made comment about the lack of Canberra presence on the display, so it will be a welcome addition Never built one yet, but this is a great inspiration to do so Neil 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilfish Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 Brilliant as always. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procopius Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 Forgive me for asking, but how much noseweight did you need for this majestic build? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perdu Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 What a pretty Canberra Andy Very nicely done, looks good enough to eat (bugger.look wot you dun talking about choccy rations...) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerndM Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 Great Canberra, well done with a nice diorama! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted October 28, 2014 Author Share Posted October 28, 2014 Thanks chaps, appreciated as always, Neil, yes it is odd that an aircraft as well known and popular as the Canberra doesn't appear more on the tables, especially in 1/72nd.....(unless of course canberrakid's in the room with his hoard !) As for nose weight I forgot to mention that I had to stuff almost 50 grams of lead into the nose and area just behind the cockpit in order for it to stand up properly, (no slouching here !) especially as the main gear legs are angled quite a way forward to get the correct sit attitude !........my big concern was the structural integrity of the nose gear....would she hold captain !!...thankfully all seems OK but it does weigh a ton....(the destructions say 45g but I wanted to make sure as it's all but impossible to add any later). looks good enough to eat Bill if you want to eat it at Telford then be my guest, I'll even supply some floury baps and a tankard of Avtur to wash it down ...but only on the proviso that we have your scout for dessert ! Thanks Bernd, glad you like it.... Melch... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VG 33 Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 This is very nice, so on my wish and to do list... Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanflyer Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 (edited) It's such a lovely aeroplane, isn't it? As ever, the details you put into your work makes it stand out, Andy. I like the way you've got the elevators at the right angle when at rest, and even the subtle staining from the jet efflux on the underside of the tailplane. All good stuff. Scratch built undercarriage though? In 1/72? Treatment mate, treatment. That's what you need... Nice one, Dean Edited October 28, 2014 by Deanflyer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 Lovely work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miggers Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 You're a complete fibber Melchet,you've snapped a real one there and tried to make us lot think it's a moggle one you've built,we're not as daft as we look you know..... Watch out for that blighter Blackadder though,he and his man Baldrick along with Percy have a cunning plan to pinch it and fly away with it........... Seriously damn good work there old boy,it really does look,well,er,real. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Learstang Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 Brilliant work there, old beast! That... you know, I don't have a good nickname for the Canberra handy, how about Cranberry? Yes, that sounds about right. That Cranberry model is dreadfully nice! Regards, etc. Jason, etc. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snitok1983 Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 Well done, general, Sir! So as always! Heartily work and presentations! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batcode Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 very nice work, looks great, nice job on the nmf 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberra kid Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 (edited) Very nice it is too General! John Edited October 28, 2014 by canberra kid 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony.t Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 Lovely Canberra with such skilfully applied lacquer metalisers. I do love the polyurethane or lacquer aluminium metal look from the Cold War era, especially RAF and PVO. Tony 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted October 29, 2014 Author Share Posted October 29, 2014 Thanks, Dean my old mucka, cheers for that, I agree it is a lovely looking beast and even more so that my father flew them from West Raynham back in the fifties...so he's pretty chuffed to see it, (even if it is the wrong mark, I promised him I'd get round to the T.4 at some point !). As for treatment, well yes...two pencils and a pair of floppy Y-Fronts are on their way here as we speak.... Damn and blast yer eyes Miggers, you rumbled me !....I already caught young Lieutenant George eyeing it up lovingly, whispering sweet nothings into its intakes and fondling its undercarriage....... not to mention Baldrick's marriage proposal, really must get these men under control ! Jason, I think Cranberry is the correct aeronautical terminology for this particular aerial contrivance...so well done that man, (If you have any more such gen handy I'll send capt Darling round to pump you thoroughly in the debriefing room just as soon as he's finished his official chair stacking duties )..... John thanks again for the info and Tony I agree that the lacquered silver finish of a lot of these Cold War aircraft looks great...the odd thing with the high speed silver was just how quickly the aluminium content oxidized and gave the very matt appearance, particularly if the aircraft had spent any time in the tropics, ( It comes a bit hard having to spray a matt varnish over a lovely shiny Alclad aluminium finish.... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 Stunning - looks real! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haggis9444 Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 Fantastic build and photos.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted October 29, 2014 Author Share Posted October 29, 2014 Thanks guys, one thing I forgot to mention, though it's a well known error on the kit is that the lower fin fillet needs cutting back and reshaping and the elevator outer ends need rounding off more.....(oh and the U/C doors are too long).......other than that.........it's a good kit ! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perdu Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 Funny enough Andy I have been having thoughts about knocking out a T4 soon I have most of Airfix's first Cranberry to play with (yes the widemouthed bomber) along with the early (possibly) Aeroclub replacement nose and a Modeldecals sheet with a red/white/grey T4 resplendent on it And an insatiable desire to use the old stash before it uses me up Things come along to spur us don't they This one might be your fault 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Lovely job Andy, really like the B&W pics, superb stuff! I'd promised John I'd do a 1/72nd B(i)8 as an Indian AF target tug for the SIG stand at Telford, but have failed miserably. To be honest I'm finding it a thoroughly nasty little kit, worse than most limited runs I've built recently. Seems that nothing wants to fit & most parts are warped (especially bad in the paper thin cockpit surround)Final straw came when I was re-sanding (again) the awful fitting bomb aimers nose section & I dropped it & broke off a tailplane! It will be finished one day, but now as a sharkmouthed 16 sqn jet. Still, your lovely model shows just what can be done with the things! Beautiful Canberra! See you next week! Keef 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perdu Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 BLIMEY! It's next week panic panic pan... phew, I finished mine The B&W pictures were a great idea, very evocative Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luis Alfonso Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Hi General: <SIMPLY IMPRESSIVE!!!! I always have liked this bird and watching yours, really I want to find one to build, while, I'll be happy with the Revel/Matchbox one. Thank you very much for sharing, Cheers, Luis Alfonso 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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